In the previous summer, clubs had spent more than £1billion in transfers and one can expect more expenditure this summer. Money from the telecast rights has started to pour in as all the clubs will be benefitted from the large chunk.
Marco Verratti has been one of the hottest properties in the transfer market and Barcelona have been chasing the Paris Saint-Germain midfield general for quite a while. The Catalans are very disappointed after a very quiet last season and are ready to start off a new campaign with a hope to recapture their best form.
The Catalans appointed Ernesto Valverde as the next manager and the Spaniard will have the task to make Barcelona number one again on the world map. The likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have been pretty consistent with the performances but as a whole, they haven’t looked that much confident.
Barcelona’s transfer strategy has a big role to play in this claustrophobic campaign. For the past few years, Barcelona hierarchy are giving importance on quantity rather than quality and the results are there to see.
Having learnt from the past mistakes, the Spanish giants are taking every step very delicately and the effort to sign Verratti is a result of that. The Italian midfielder has earned his reputation as one of the best deep-lying playmakers and can be the next ‘Xavi’.
He is equipped with all the potential qualities that a world class midfielder should have but if he does arrive at the club what would be his exact role?
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Valverde recently claimed he has huge respect for the existing formation and will be assessing his options once the pre-season begins. Enrique had brief success with the application of a three-man midfield and Valverde is likely to follow the suit.
Sergio Busquets will drop down deep into the bed of the midfield while Andres Iniesta and Verratti will mobilise the midfield. Verratti’s deployment will make Iniesta a little bit more free as the Italian national will do all the running around the pitch.
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Although Valverde is unlikely to tweak the current formation, he has used this formation much better during his earlier coaching stint. Verratti has a unique vision of the game and he is expected to be fielded alongside Sergio Busquets in the two-man midfield while Iniesta will be handed a bit more advanced role.
The 24-year-old possesses a cool and calm nature which reflects on his game. His tender age will allow him to flourish under the guidance of a plethora of geniuses at the Nou Camp.
